Chapter 7: Metamorphism, Metamorphic Rocks and Hydrothermal Rocks

By: Depositario, Dayanghirang, Dugang, Cruz

I. Introduction
Metamorphism
o increase in Pressure & increase in Temperature
Burial
Contact
Regional
Metamorphic rock
o Pre-existing rock
o Parent rock

II. Metamorphism
Definition:
o It is the transformation of one rock type into another.
o It can cause the transformation of low-temperature minerals into high-
temperature minerals and, through the introduction of ions from
hydrothermal solutions, generate new minerals, some of which form
economically important metallic ore deposits.
How it works:
o During metamorphism some of the material must remain solid. The
changes that occur in the rocks are textural as well as mineralogical.
o Metamorphism most often occurs in one of three settings:
when rock is in contact with or near a mass of magma, contact
metamorphism occurs;
where hot, ion-rich water circulates through rock, chemical
alteration occurs by a process called hydrothermal
metamorphism; or
During mountain building, where extensive areas of rock undergo
regional metamorphism.
o The grade of metamorphism is reflected in the texture and mineralogy of
metamorphic rocks. During regional metamorphism rocks typically
display a preferred orientation called foliation in which their platy and
elongated minerals are aligned.
Type:
o Progressive Metamorphism
Progressively greater temperature and pressure
Shale => Slate => Phyllite => Schist => Gneiss => Migmatite
Geologic Environments in which metamorphism commonly occurs are:
o Contact metamorphism
Also called thermal metamorphism
occurs when rocks are in contact with igneous bodies and a zone
of alteration called an aureoleforms around the magma.
Most contact metamorphic rocks are fine-grained, dense, tough
rocks of various chemical compositions.
Because directional pressure is not a major factor, they are not
generally foliated.
o Hydrothermal metamorphism
occurs where hot, ion-rich fluids circulate through rock and cause
chemical alteration of the constituent minerals.
Mostly occurs along the mid-ocean ridge system where seawater
migrates through hot oceanic crust and chemically alters newly
formed basaltic rocks.
Metallic ions that are removed from the crust are eventually
carried to the floor of the ocean where they precipitate from
black smokers to form metallic deposits, some of which may be
economically important.
o Regional metamorphism
It takes place at considerable depths over an extensive area and is
associated with the process of mountain building.
A gradation in the intensity of metamorphism usually exists in
regional metamorphism, in which the intensity of metamorphism
(low- to high-grade) is reflected in the texture and mineralogy of
the rock. In the most extreme metamorphic environments, rocks,
called migmatites, fall into a transition zone somewhere between
true igneous rocks and true metamorphic rocks.

III. Metamorphic rocks
Definition:
o It forms from pre-existing rocks (either igneous, sedimentary, or other
metamorphic rocks) that have been altered by the agents of
metamorphism; includes:
Heat is the most important agent because it provides the energy
to drive chemical reactions that result in the recrystallization of
minerals.
Pressure, like temperature, also increases with depth. When
subjected to confining pressure minerals may recrystallize into
more compact forms.
Chemically active fluids, most commonly water containing ions in
solution, also enhance the metamorphic process by dissolving
minerals and aiding the migration and precipitation of this
material at other sites.
o composed of only one mineral forming equidimensional crystals often
appear nonfoliated. Marble (metamorphosed limestone) is often
nonfoliated.
Other:
o The greatest volume of metamorphic rock is produced during regional
metamorphism.
o The mineral makeup of the parent rock determines, to a large extent, the
degree to which each metamorphic agent will cause change.
o During mountain building, rocks are subjected to differtial stress which
tends to shorten them in the direction pressure is applied and lenghted
them in the direction perpendicular to that force.
o At depth, rocks are warm andductile, which accounts for their ability to
deform by flowing when subjected to differential stresses.
o Foliation develops as platy of elongated minerals are rotated into parallel
alignment; recrystallize to form new grains that exhibit a preferred
orientation; or are plastically deformed into flattened grains that exhibit
a planar alignment.
Types:
a. Rock cleavage is a type of foliation in which rocks split
cleanly into thin slabs along surfaces where platy minerals
are aligned.
b. Schistosity is a type of foliation defined by the parallel
alignment of medium- to coarse-grained platy minerals.
During high-grade metamorphism, ion migrations can
cause minerals to segregate into bands.
Common foliated metamorphic rocks include:
a. Slate
b. Phyllite
c. various types of schists (e.g., garnet-mica schist); and
d. Gneiss are metamorphic rocks with a banded texture.
Nonfoliated rocks include:
a. marble (parent rocklimestone)
b. quartzite (most often formed from quartz sandstone).
IV. Hydrothermal Rocks
Processes:
o Rocks precipitated from or altered by hot water are referred to as
hydrothermal
o Hydrothermal processes:
Metamorphism
a. Water transmits ions between grains
Metasomatism
a. Water brings in ions from outside and adds them to the
rock during metamorphism
Formation of hydrothermal rocks
a. Water passes through rocks and precipitates new minerals
on walls of cracks and in pore spaces
Other:
o Hydrothermal Minerals => Hydrothermal Rock
o Vein
o Hyrothermal Activity at Diverging Plate Boundaries
o Ore Deposits at Diverging Plate Boundaries
o Hydothermal Rocks and Minerals
disseminated ore deposits
o Sources of Water
Groundwater
Water Trapped in Sediments
Hydrous Minerals